Tuesday, December 19, 2017

✂️ Staff Retreat ✂️

One of the benefits of working at Quilt Cove is the twice yearly staff retreats. Our owner, Sue, runs a beautiful retreat home in New Prague, Minnesota, called "The Getaway" that can accommodate up to 20. It overlooks Cedar Lake. We each had our own table. Here's my set-up:I'd like to highlight some projects the 9 of us were working on. First off are all these adorable Dresden plate Christmas ornaments that Cindy finished:This was Cindy's next project. The strips were cut at 1 1/4":

Here are 3 of Sandi's projects. On the left is a fabric covered balloon! She got that pattern from Calico Hutch Quilt Shop in Hayward, MN. She quilted the middle piece. And she made some blocks for the "Getting To Know Hue" BOM from Quilt Cove.Kyle made great progress on this quilt made from striped batiks:

She was just starting this fun, modern quilt. It's a Turning Twenty pattern called "Hope Chest Treasures".Lisa seemed to put this colorful quilt together in no time at all:

And she was working on this flannel quilt for a Christmas gift. She had the brilliant idea to put her table up on PVC pipes and stand and sew! I tried it and it worked great!

Barb was courageously tackling the final steps of this BOM--sewing together blocks, sashing and borders. Looking great!!! She's done the same quilt in batiks.My first project was to finish sewing together this quilt top, which will be a Christmas gift. The pattern is "Follow the Leader", from the book Fat Quarter Love by the Modern Quilt Studio. The fabrics are Dr. Who purchased from Massdrop, alternated with Japanese cotton kimono fabrics purchased at a kimono shop in Mitaka, Japan. My next project was to finish piecing this "Go With the Flow" tablerunner. The pattern is from Longarm Quilting Workbook, by Teresa Silva. You can see the first one I made as a gift here. Then I quilted my "Minnesota Lucy" block that I hand-pieced during our recent road trip. Matchstick quilting with clear thread:

Back home I put it in this frame from Hobby Lobby. One has to really hunt to find a square picture frame!Here it is hanging in my miniature quilt gallery, AKA the stairwell. This is the Japanese/traditional side:

My last project was to finish step 2 of Bonnie Hunter's "On Ringo Lake" mystery quilt. Step 1--nine-patches and step 2--flying geese. Step 3 is cut out.There were more employees and more projects. These are the projects I got photos of. If you're interested in using The Getaway just call Quilt Cove!Grace and peace!!! ~Nancy

17 comments:

I was excited to see "Quilt Cove"! I lived in Apple Valley from 2008-11 and loved trips to Quilt Cove! I bought the fabric for my very first quilt there so remember the place fondly. I'm back in Michigan now., but thanks for the flashback.

Hi Nancy,Great projects from all of you! Holy moly, it sure looks like a lot was accomplished. How fabulous to have a breakaway place like that! I have never tried standing and sewing . . . I can't quite imagine it. Happy Holidays to you and your family. ~smile~ Roseanne

What a fun, diverse set of projects! But that last one! I do like the look of the On Ringo Lake bits and the color scheme for this year. I think this will be a spectacular quilt. I can’t wait to see the final design. Your stairwell is a lovely gallery!

I felt like a fly on the wall after reading this wonderful post. My problem when I go on a retreat is I'm not very productive since I tend to be distracted with what everyone else is doing. I would have had the same problem if I were on this retreat. I absolutely love your quilt with the Asian and Dr. Who fabric--I think I may already have the pattern. Thanks for sharing. Have a wonderful Christmas!

Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting

Faith, family, friends & fiber! I'm a hand-guided longarm quilter. I was a missionary in Japan for 24 years and I'm a retired home school teacher. I quilt for clients and work at Quilt Cove. Welcome to my Quiltland!